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Monday, February 18, 2013

Last week the hubs and I celebrated some victories at work-- meeting deadlines, achieving goals, taking names, etc. So we had a little celebracione back at the house, preparing food together, downing a few pre-dinner beers, and throwing tequila and mangos in the blender. Enjoyed the meal out on the balcony overlooking the beautiful Sydney sunset.

Sydney sunset from our balcony

The combination of elements was too good not to post everything together here. Grilled fish coated in smoked paprika and cumin, an incredible salad of fresh corn, asparagus, green onions, and a vinaigrette of olive oil, lime juice, and red pepper flakes. And mango margaritas, with a little fresh-squeezed lime and orange juice tang (not Tang... did anyone else's grandmother feed them that neon orange powdered drink mix? My Texas grandmother always told us it's what the astronauts drank. Perhaps they, too, then ran around the space shuttle like maniacs on a neon orange sugar high).

Anyway, this meal was awesome. It would be the best combination for a BBQ or chilled out dinner party. The salad by itself would be a noteworthy picnic/potluck contribution. The fresh corn on the cob is key, but canned corn would work in a pinch. Substitute fresh green beans if asparagus is out of season. And mango margaritas are a winner for any occasion.

Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Place the corn cobs in the water and turn down to medium-high heat. Boil for 8-10 minutes, until corn is cooked and tender, but still plump (not overcooked). When the corn is done cooking, carefully remove the cobs and set aside to cool.

While the corn is cooking, chop the asparagus (or green beans) into 1-inch pieces, and thinly slice the green onions on the bias. Set aside.

After you have finished cooking the corn, place a steamer basket into the simmering water that you used to cook the corn, and add the asparagus (or green beans). Cover the pot with a lid. Steam the asparagus for 4-6 minutes, until crisp-tender. When done, remove the steamer basket of asparagus and immediately run under cool water to cool down the asparagus.

Using a knife, carefully cut away the corn from the cooled corn cobs. It's ok if some of the kernels stick together and don't separate completely from each other. Set corn aside.

In a large serving bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, red pepper flakes, pepper, and salt to make the vinaigrette. Add the sliced green onions, asparagus, and corn to the serving bowl. Toss gently so that the vinaigrette evenly coats the vegetables. Serve immediately, or chill in the fridge for up to 12 hours before serving.

Smokey Paprika Grilled Fishserves 4
slightly adapted from The Best of Bill by Bill Granger

In a small bowl, mix together the cumin, paprika, pepper, and salt. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the fish.

Heat a BBQ to medium heat, or heat a sauté pan and the olive oil over medium heat on the stove top. Place the fish in the hot BBQ or on the hot sauté pan, and cook for about 4-6 minutes on each side, until cooked through. The flesh should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Carefully peel and chop the mangos (see preparation tip below). Place in a blender with the tequila, lime juice, and orange juice. Blend on high for a few pulses to get things liquified, then add the ice. Blend for about a minute, pulsing every few seconds, until no lumps of ice remain.

Taste the mixture, and, if necessary, add a little more ice to chill and a tablespoon of honey or sugar to sweeten (... and another slosh of tequila if necessary). Blend on high for a few more seconds, and serve immediately.

* Serving Tip: We think mango margaritas taste better without salt. But, to be festive, you could run a lime slice around the rim of each glass and dip the glasses in sugar. Classic lime-- or watermelon-- margaritas, on the other hand, are delicious when served in a salt-rimmed glass.

* Preparation Tip: How to peel and chop a mango:

Place the mango on a cutting board so that the top is facing up (like sitting an egg on its bottom, with the smaller cone end facing up).

Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the mango from top to bottom, all the way through, avoiding the slender seed in the middle-- so that you cut off a large mango 'cheek'. Using the same technique, cut all the way through the other side to slice off the other mango 'cheek' (avoiding the slender seed in the middle).

Hold a mango cheek in the palm of your hand, and very carefully cut a criss-cross pattern into the mango flesh, cutting all the way to (but not through) the fruit skin. Flip the mango skin out so that the cubes of mango stick out (like a porcupine). Using the knife, carefully cut the cubes off of the skin. Repeat with the other mango cheek.

There will be a rim of fruit left around the seed, which you may be able to carefully slice off and salvage if the fruit is big enough. If not, remove the peel and eat the remaining mango fruit stuck to the seed, preparing to wash your entire face and arms before dinner to remove all traces of mango-nibbling.

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I find that delicious, nutritious food, served beautifully and in the company of family and friends, is one of life's great joys. I love cooking wholesome food inspired by my upbringing in the American South and the other *southern* places I've lived (including Texas, London, Sydney, and now Los Angeles). Follow along here, on twitter @southern_spoon, and on instagram @SouthernSpoon.